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2/25/12

Welcome relief (Preview Adelaide v Melbourne 25/2/12)

After last night's football match, tonight's match up with Melbourne will be welcome relief for the 36ers. Simpson and DJ struggled inside, Ng and Warren rarely got good looks and the keyway was a no-go zone for anyone wanting to drive inside. That will all change tonight.

Melbourne is in a funk. They are coming of a 21pt loss to Cairns and besides a win against Adelaide at the same venue 3 weeks ago, have struggled mightily in 2012. They have unearthed a great import in mid season pickup Myron Allen (13pts, 7 reb, 6 ast) and have had some solid play by Cam Tragardh and of late, Liam Rush, but besides this many of the others have been disappointing. Their defence is porous and their offense has been all over the place but they do have the players who, if they get the best out of themselves, can trouble teams. They beat Adelaide behind the solid play of Allen and Tragardh and by sticking out the game waiting for Adelaide to return to earth after a sizzling start.

Adelaide will have learnt a lot from the last match up and will enjoy the space they'll be allowed by Melbourne.Here's what they need to do to get a W.

-Play a press. In patches, but we have the athletes to trouble Melbourne.

-Be aggressive. Warren gave them fits last time and must be aggressive and not rely too heavily on the three. Creek had opportunities too last time and will be determined to make amends for his costly performance last time.

-Play Ng. He got 3 minutes against them last time and was completely under utilised. This is a game he should blow up in. Forget last night, Perth don't give up open threes to guys like him. Melbourne do.

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-Go hard at their bigs. Must use DJ and DS early and go hard at Tragardh and Rush. We got Allen and Tragardh in foul trouble last time (yet still managed to lose) and this helped the cause. We must do this for 40 minutes.

Melbourne will be confident and will be glad to be at home, the 36ers will be encouraged by last night's effort and will be hungry to make up for the last game v Melbourne. Adelaide by 7.